General Information

What is BFD Deluxe Collection?

BFD Deluxe Collection is an expansion pack for BFD3, BFD Eco and BFD2. It provides a wide range of vintage and modern drums and cymbals recorded at Steve Albini's Electrical Audio studio complex in Chicago, USA.

Why does it have these requirements?

Why has the data been reduced to 20-bit for the download version?

20-bit audio offers a dynamic range of around 120dB. This is greater than the dynamic range of most professional-grade preamps/A-D converters, so there is no perceptible loss of audio quality. Any noise introduced due to the bit-reduction process is well below the analogue noise floor inherent in the recordings, and leads to much smaller downloads.

What kind of limitations exist when using this product with BFD Eco?

When using BFD Deluxe Collection in BFD Eco, limitations apply in terms of the audio channels and articulations that are actually available (this is one of BFD Eco's limitations, as opposed to the fully-featured BFD3 and BFD2).

Additionally, due to BFD Eco's slot/channel configuration, only 6 toms can be loaded at once (in the 3 Tom and 3 Perc slots).

Where was BFD Deluxe Collection recorded?

BFD Deluxe Collection was recorded at Steve Albini's Electrical Audio studio facility in Chicago. The Kentucky drum room in Studio A was used. This is a relatively small drum room so the room sound is tight and focused - although far from dead. Please check out some of the audio examples in order to get a feel for the sonic character of BFD Deluxe Collection.

Did Steve Albini produce this expansion pack?

Steve Albini was responsible for all mic placement and any decisions made regarding processing in the signal path (all-analogue processing through vintage Urei/UA devices, in some cases with custom modifications). In effect, he did the engineering during the recording along with other Electrical Audio staff members Greg Norman and Russ Arbuthnot.

Is this pack only good for rock and grunge music?

Not at all! While Steve Albini and his studio are predominantly known within rock circles, his primary motivation is to capture the sound of whatever he's recording as well as possible. BFD Deluxe Collection is simply an exquisitely recorded library of fine drums and cymbals which is usable for anything from funk and jazz to rock, metal, grunge and many styles beyond.